ArmInfo. The European Union (EU) is seeking independent activities in the settlement of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict Sergey Markedonov, Leading Researcher at Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO), said in an interview with ArmInfo.
"Brussels failed to accomplish the set task by itself either in the Balkans or in Ukraine. The USA's interference was needed in both cases. This is the reason for the EU's desire to show its own ability to settle conflict at least in the South Caucasus. And Brussels obviously has its own motives for and interests in it, which are, no doubt, in conflict with Russia's interests," Mr Markedonov said.
The launch of Russia's special operation in Ukraine triggered activities only on the part of the EU in the South Caucasus. Specifically, Brussels is now actively involved in preparing border delimitation and demarcation and a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Certain processes got underway in Transdniestria, and Tbilisi's refusal to support the anti-Russian sanctions caused problems in the Georgian – Ukrainian relations.
"In other words, the Caucasus agenda is part of the Black Sea geopolitical agenda – and it is extremely important. By and large, the EU not being interested in Russia growing stronger does not give rise to any questions. Rather, what causes questions is the EU's desire to 'skim the cream off' Moscow's previous steps to establish peace in Karabakh. The very same President of the European Council Charles Michel prefers pretending that Russia is not at all involved in Karabakh, whereas it was Russia that ended the war and ensured the trilateral agreements to establish peace in the South Caucasus. Moscow and Brussels are not in outright confrontation with each other over Nagorno-Karabakh in contrast to that over Georgia and Ukraine. They are just trying to ignore Russia," Mr Markedonov said.